Gas control valve



Feb. 5, 1952 /NVENTOE CASPER 5. STUCKENHOLT Fig. 5 I BY Y ,wynqfv A Trae/Vey Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES GAS CONTROL VALVE Casper S. Stuckenholt, South Euclid, Ohio, as-

signor to The W. J. Schoenberger Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 24, 1947, Serial No. 730,236

6 Claims.

The invention relates to gas control valves adapted particularly for cooking ranges. An object is to provide an improved valve on the order of that shown in Stuckenholt Patent No. 2,262,703; November ll, 1941. The valve shown in that patent has provision for informing the operator through audible signal means when the valve has been turned into certain desired positions such, for example, as full on, simmer and off positions. Said valve also has provision for releasably locking the operating stem in the off position with the View to discouraging unauthorized tampering with the range controls. The present valve construction provides comparable position-indicating signals and a more economically manufactured means for locking of the operating stem in the off position, and also employs a considerably less number of easily formed parts to accomplish the desired functions, thus indicating further objects hereof.

A specic object is to provide an improved gas control valve for cooking ranges, said valve having a low or simmer-cooking flame-adjustment arranged eiectually to prevent escape ofV gas from the valve while the adjustment is being effected.

A further object is to provide an improved gas control valve having a low-flame adjustment capable of manipulation through a hollow valve plug positioning stem.

A further object is to provide a gas control mechanism employing an axially shiftable control-plug-positioning stem cooperating with a locking plate inside the valve assembly and arranged to insure assembly of the valve parts in proper operating relationship only.

A further object is to provide a gas control valve with provision for effecting an audible signal in each of a number of functional positions and locking of the stem in one of said positions, with parts so arranged that they cannot be improperly assembled.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred form shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal assembly view of the valve mechanism with the main valve plug in full on position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the valve in the off position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken as indicated at 3 3 on Fig. 1, parts of the mechanism being omitted in order more clearly to illustrate other parts;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the valve plug; and

Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing the principal movable parts of the assembly.

Referring to Fig. 1, the body I of the valve assembly, preferably a casting, is formed with a threaded inlet branch 2 adapted for connection with a gas manifoldl pipe and having a central passage 2', said body having an externally threaded tubular' outlet or discharge portion -3 arranged to support a conventional burner-flowadjustment sleeve 4 with a restricted central discharge oriiice 5. The outletV portion 3 has. a central bore, receiving a fluted or non-circular body or shank of a conventionally pointed needle element 6 projecting into the orifice 5. The position of the pointed end of the needle element in the restricted orice determines the maximum gas ow from the valve assembly to the burner, adjustment being effected as usual.

The body I has a conical bore 'I for receiving a main gas control plug 8, spring-seated against the conical bore as described later herein. The plug 8 has a longitudinal passage 9 aligned with the bore of the outlet portion 3 and a lateral main inlet bore I0 arranged for registration with the inlet bore 2 in the position of the plug illustrated in Fig. 1, whereby the burner is supplied with gas at maximum flow rate. That rate can be diminished gradually by partial non-registration of the ports 2 and I0. Additionally, the plug 8 has an axial restricted bore Il formed as a counterbore of the main outlet passage 9 and which intersects an oblique low-flame-conducting gas passage I4, Figs. 2 and 3, communieating at its outer end with a shallow depression or recess I5 transversely aligned with the inlet passage 2 when the plug 8 is turned, for example, from the full on position shown in Fig. 1 to the low-flow or simmer position, not shown. In the simmer" position, gas is enabled to iiow to the burner only through the shallow recess I5, the restricted, oblique passage I4, counterbore I I, etc.

At the intersection of the oblique passage I 4 and counterbore II, an adjustable valve plug I'I is provided so that gas for simmer cooking .purposes can be very accurately and iinely adjusted to the desired low ow value. As shown, the simmer cooking adjustment plug I'l has. a threaded shank I6 in and extending from a reduced diameter stem portion I9 of the plugv 8, generally coaxial therewith but partially of noncircular cross section for operating connection with a tubular operating stem 20. The plug I1 is adjusted to extend partially into blocking relationship to the oblique passage I4 as shown on Figs. 2 and 3.

The tubular operating stem 20 carries at its outer end a suitable manually adjustable handle 2 i. Said operating stem has an enlarged generally cylindrical inner end portion 22 (see Fig. 5) having a transverse parallel-sided end slot 23, open axially of said portion 22 and which ts diametrally opposite at faces 25 and 26 onv the stem portion I9 of the plug 8. Said ilat faces 25 3 and 26 are located different distances from the axis of the plug 8 and the cooperating faces of the slot 23 are respectively located those same difq ferent distances from the axis of the tubular operating stem so that the plug and tubular stem can be axially aligned in only one relatively turned position of said plug and tubular stem. Such axial alignment is necessary in order to complete the assembly as Will be further demonstrated below.

The generally cylindrical enlargement or head 22 of the tubular operating stem 2|) is contained within a cap sleeve 28 adapted to be threaded onto a generally circular, although not wholly continuous, ilange 29 of the body I concentric with the taper bore 1. The cap sleeve 28 has an inturned flange 30 against which'a locking plate Vdevice 3i, contained in the sleeve, is secured as shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The locking plate device 3| is, in part, a ring having a D-shaped centra-l opening 32 having a straight edge portion 33. The enlargement or head 22 of the operating stem has one flat side face 34 which, in the on position of the valve plug 8 (Fig. 2), registers with the straight edge 33 of the opening 32 to form an oli position lock for the operating stem as will be described more in detail below. Except in the "01 position, the enlargement 22 of the operating stem is retained axially in the position shown in Fig. 1 by a at axially directed shoulder 35 defining one end of the enlargement 22. The shoulder 35 abuts theinner face of the locking plate device 3| in all turned positions of the operating stem except the off position illustrated by Fig. 3; and in that position, the shoulder 35 and flat face 34 may pass into the D-shaped opening 32 of the locking plate device. Said device 3I as shown (upper right, Fig. 3; lower right, Fig. has a position-retaining ange 4I of arcuate section conforming to the flange 29 of the body I and having a T-shaped head, partially shown at 42. rEhe T-shaped head, during assembly of the operating stem 20, sleeve 28 and other parts into place, is seated into a complementary notch 43 (Fig. 3) in the body flange 29. 4Seating of the T-head 42 into the notch 43 holds the locking plate in properly turned position on the valve body; and if, during assembly, the valve plug 8 and operating stem '2U have been improperly assembled at the notch 23 and faces 25 and 26, it is then impossible to seat the T-head 42 into the notch 43 and then screw the cap 28 onto the valve body.

The enlargement 22 of the operating stem has lntermediately of its ends a peripheral rib 36 cor extensive only with the cylindrical portion of the enlargement, and the rib is always in abutment with a ilat annular washer 31 having radially disposed notches in pairs at 33 and 39 adjacent the enlargement 22. At one side, the washer 31 has an arcuately extending peripheral indentation 40 in splined relation to the ange 4| of the locking plate device 3| to hold the washer against tru-ning within the sleeve 28, but enabling relative axial motion of the washer and the enlargement 22 of the operating stem.

Cooperating with the notched washer 31 is a signal plate or washer 44 which has a spline (D- connecticn) with the enlargement 22 of the operating stem formed by a flat edge 45 complementary to the at face 34 of said enlargement. Otherwise, the opening in the Washer 44 slidably nts the cylindrical surface portion of the enlargement 22. At diametrally opposite points, for example perpendicular to the at edge 45, the

washer 44 has oppositely sloping (e. g. triangular) projections 46 arranged to snap into the paired notches 38 and 39 in three different turned positions of the operating stem. The washer 44 has a flange 41 with generally radially extending edges which abut the side edges oi the flange 4| of the locking plate device 3| to arrest the turning movement of the operating stem in the off and simmer positions of 'the valve plug 8, so that the plug cannot be turned past those positions in respectively opposite directions. In the particular arrangement shown, the flanges 4| and 41 limit the turning movement of the stem to The washer 44 is forced against the washer 31 and the latter thereby maintained against the rib 3G by a coiled compression spring 50. One end of the spring seats against the washer 44 and the opposite end against the valve plug 8. The spring thus performs the dual function of maintaining the valve plug seated in its tapered bore 1 while forcing the projections 46 of the signal washer 44 in the proper direction for audible signaling engagement with the paired notches 38 and 39 of the washer 31.

Comparing Figs. 1 and 2, the former shows the stem 20 maintained in a position thrust toward the plug 8, being retained by the locking plate device 3| against outward movement away from the plug, and the latter, Fig. 2, shows the stem 20 turned to a position in which the flat face 34 of said stem aligns with the D-edge 33 of the locking plate device 3 I, enabling the spring 50 to force the stem 20 outwardly so that the face 34 lies in locking relation to said edge 33, thus holding the stem 20 against being turned until it is moved axially toward the valve plug. When the stem is thrust inwardly toward the valve plug, as to the position shown in Fig. 1, the plug can then be turned rst to the full on position illustrated by Fig. 1, and then to the simmer position in which the ow of gas may be variably restricted by the adjustable plug I6, I1. In each of the main positions: off, full on and simmer, an audible signal is given when the triangular projections or ribs 46 of the washer 44 snap into one or the other pair of notches 38 and 39 of the washer 31.

The outer end of the hollow operating stem 20 preferably is cut away to provide a D-formation at 55, Fig. 2, (cf. Fig. 5) receiving a complementary inwardly thickened portion 56 in the socket of the handle 2 I. The handle may be removably secured to the stem by friction, by a suitable spring detent or, as illustrated, by a locking screw 51 threaded as at 58 into said thickened portion. The screw 51 is preferably concealed within a counterbore 59 of the handle, and, as shown, may be forced against the inner wall of the central bore of the operating stern 20.

The simmer flow adjusting screw I6 is rendered readily accessible for adjustment when the handle 2| is removed; and, since the removal of the handle prevents manual operation of the valve, the plug will be undisturbed during the making of the adjustment. It is important that the valve plug shall not be accidentally unseated during manipulation of the adjusting screw I6 for otherwise flash-back ignition of gas, leaking from the valve, may occur. Because it is an easy matter to remove the handle and a relatively difiicult operation for a novice to reassemble the locking and signal-effecting parts after removal of the threaded cap sleeve 28, operation of the simmer adjustment screw I6 otherwise than through the hollow stem following removal of the handle 2l is not apt to be repeated if done once.

I claim:

1. A gas control valve comprising a body hav-l ing a circular bore formed with a port, a plug seated in said bore and having lateral low control passages at an angle to each other about the axis of the bore and a closing land surface, all in the plane of said port, an operating stem in splined relation to the plug, a cap sleeve secured to the body in surrounding relation to the operating stem, a locking plate within the sleeve having a plate-rotation-preventing interlocking connection with the body within the sleeve, which connection includes relatively abutting circumferentially directed shoulders on the body and locking plate which shoulders are maintained in mutual registration by radial juxtaposition of the sleeve and locking plate in the region of the shoulders, and a releasable spline connection between a non-circular central through opening in the locking plate and a non-circular portion cf the stem extending through said central opening, said connection operating, in an axially shifted position of the stem, to lock the stem against being turned.

2. A gas control valve comprising a body having a circular bore formed with a port, a plug seated in said bore and having lateral flow control passages at an angle to each other about the axis of the bore and a closing land surface, all

in the plane of said port, an operating stem havl ing a head in splined relation to the plug, a cap sleeve removably secured to the body in surrounding relation to said head, a locking plate device within the sleeve and non-turnably connected with the body when the sleeve is secured thereto, the locking plate and stem having a releasable D-connection comprising a D-shaped opening in the plate around the stern engageable with a complementary portion of the stern to secure the stem in one turned position, and mechanism Within the sleeve including spring means arranged to arrest the head in said turned position and to shift the head to render the D-connection eiective.

3. A gas control valve comprising a body having a tapered bore formed with a port, a tapered plug seated in said bore and having lateral now control passages at an angle to each other about the axis of the bore and a closing land surface,

all in the plane of said port, an operating stern having a head detachably splined to the plug, a cap sleeve threaded to the body in surrounding relation to the head of the operating stem, lockl ing means and audible signal-eiecting means tion, said passages including a low-flow passage portion of the plug, an adjustment device supported axially of the shank' and arranged for variably restricting the low-flow passage portion, an axially shiftable hollow operating stem telescoping said shank and through which the device is accessible for adjustment, a locking device for the operating stem supported by said body and having a non-circular aperture through which a non-circular portion of the stem is arranged to extend for locking the stem in one turned and axially shifted position of the stem, the non-circular portion of said stern and the plug shank being relatively arranged so that assembly of the operating stem and plug into concentric relation- .ship is possible in only one relatively turned position of the operating stein and the plug shank.

5. A valve comprising a hollow body and a rotata-ble plug for controlling inlet or outlet passages of the valve, said plug having a shank portion, said passages including a low-iow passage portion of the plug, an adjustment device supported axially of the shank and arranged for variably restricting the low-flow passage portion, an axially shiftable hollow operating stem telescoping said shank and through which the device is accessible for adjustment, a locking device for the operating stem sup-ported by said body and having a non-circular aperture through which a noncircular portion of the stem is arranged to extend for locking the stem in one turned and axially l shifted position of the stem, the non-circular portion of said stem and the plug shank including substantially parallel at faces located different distances from the axis of the stem and plug, enabling concentric assembly in only one relatively turned position of the stem and plug.

6. In a valve, a body and rotatable control plug with an operating shank formed thereon, an operating stem having an inner enlarged head portion slidably keyed to the stem, said head i having a peripheral rib between its ends, two

generally circular and centrally apertured signaleffecting plates surrounding the head in superposed relation inwardly from the rib, one of the plates being shouldered against the rib, a compression spring surrounding the head between the plug andrinnermost plate reacting on the plug to force the plates yieldably -together and the operating stem outwardly, a sleeve removably secured to the body around the head and plates, an apertured stop plate through which the stem is slidably guided, said stop plate being held by the sleeve in keyed relationship to the valve body,

one of said signal-eiecting plates being splined to the head and shouldered for circumferential J stem-turn-limiting engagement with the stop plate and the other being non-rotatably secured by the stop plate, and a locking edge on one of said plates engaged by a complementary face portion of the head when shifted axially by the spring.

CASPER S. STUCKENHOLT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

